Second Player Linked I Irons Going Striker Shopping Soon

It looks very much like the Hammers’ hierarchy have worked out that the ageing trio of Antonio, Ings and ‘new recruit’ Niclas Fullkrug are not going to set the world on fire in the search for 20+ West Ham goals this season. Earlier discussions, however, during the window-just-gone with our highly-placed source at the club indicated that unless Antonio or Ings departed, there is no budgetary flexibility to bring in another front man. So it looks as though we’ll be shopping in the ‘up-and-coming’ department come January.

I bet Steidten regrets blowing £25 million on his Mohammed Kudus replacement -in-waiting Luis Guilherme now! Poor Luis cannot get a game and at must be at a loss to know what to do with himself at 18 years old and thousands of miles from home –  this being a player that Brazilians at Corinthians still ask after and label as ‘Their Jewel”.

Guilherme is certainly not a solution to the Irons’ goalscoring drought – even though he did grab one for the u21’s last week, he is not an out and out striker.

Interesting that a second report has linked West Ham with another striker, this one from Valencia. Again the Lopetegui – effect needs to be considered; Our Head Coach may well have some extra pull with Hugh Duro who has been reported by caughtoffside.com as being firmly on West Ham’s radar for a move in the January window. Again fitting the age profile, the 24 year-old would seem to be available at €20 million or so (transfermarkt.com).

Whilst outlining both ours and Aston Villa’s interest (Eh? as well as Watkins and Duran?), the report confirms: “West Ham United are also making serious moves to sign Duro. It is understood that manager Julen Lopetegui sees Duro’s energy and goal-scoring ability as a major potential asset for the Hammers’ attack.”

These multiple reports of  links with ‘enquiries about strikers’ surfacing indicate that finally, the penny is dropping at the club that Niclas Fullkrug is not going to cut it on his own, and both Danny Ings and Mikhail Antonio are past their sell-by dates. Whilst Ings has made it clear he’s not planning on leaving and will see out his contract – both have contracts til the end of this season – It would not be a surprise to see Antonio depart in January to make way  and provide the wages for a younger, faster recruit.

And boy do West Ham need it – our striker issues are legend. Over 50 signed since Sullivan took over: It would be excellent to get one who gels with his manager and his system!